Man with rifles nabbed at Maguindanao Norte checkpoint

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 21, 2022): Man with rifles nabbed at Maguindanao Norte checkpoint (By Edwin Fernandez)

ANTI-CRIME OPERATION. Police officers in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, conduct anti-criminality operations along the highway in Barangay Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. Police and military personnel manning the same checkpoint on Sunday (Nov. 20, 2022) arrested a man whose vehicle yielded high-powered firearms and ammunition. (Photo courtesy of Maguindanao PPO)

DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte – Police and military men manning a checkpoint in Barangay Dalican here arrested a man whose vehicle yielded two high-powered rifles and ammunition, an official said Monday.

Lt. Col. Nelson Madiwo, town police chief, said Norodin Lumanggal, 37, of Barangay Dinaig was nabbed on Sunday night following an inspection of his minivan at the checkpoint.

Authorities found inside the vehicle a Colt AR-15 rifle, an M16 rifle, extra magazines loaded with bullets, handheld radios, and two mobile phones, Madiwo said.

Madiwo said the police and military were conducting an anti-criminality campaign when they noticed the minivan stopping in a dimly-lit area, making the authorities suspicious.

The driver, Madiwo said, alighted from the car and proceeded to a roadside car wash.

When approached and questioned, Lumanggal claimed he was an escort of an unnamed education official in Maguindanao.

Madiwo said he asked Lumanggal to submit the van for inspection, and it was then the police found long firearms inside ng car.

The suspect is now detained at Datu Odin Sinsuat police station custodial facility.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1189037